Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20

| would look when her humble companions brilliant
| idea was fully matured and carried out
| The rivalry OF the two widows did not abate az
| the days went On. FiIZ seldom to be seen
without one or other by his side. Eets were freely
laid on the event at the clubs the odds varying as
| blonde or brunette was in the ascendant Glen.
entina BATTERED herself that she would be In flrst
| at the winning post, while Minna was equally con-
tent that 10 her would fall the honor OF carrying
| of the Brandon sweepstakes.
| Little Fiu could but feel fiattered by the open
| admiration o. these two charming ladies' When
| chaned about IL at his club he only laughed and
Stroked his muStache complacently, for he was ex.
tre;nely good-tempered, and even the seowls OF
| he had evidently not made up his mind " hich OF
| the ladies was 10 be Mrs. Fitzgerald Brandon. He
| laughed one day with Clementina, but dined with
| Minna the next; he sat the whole evening In the
| opera-0ox OF one, but he was certain to be seen
| In me Row next morning with the other; and SO
1 tht balance OF power was maintained.
| Both ladies were at their wits end. How was
this oscillating swain 10 be secured? 1t was in
tolera6le to see him flirting openly with Minna
| Clementina; and Vice versa. or course every one
| was amused but the two Victims and they were
| really miserable However, an event to which both
had long looked forward would, they hoped, bring
| matters To q crisis. Lady Mabel Smith was going
the and se ka deVse
ravlsnlng toilets for the occasion. Little Fttz
would surely be subjugated at last; and there
would De so many opportunities for him TO propose
In those delightful gardens sloping to the river,
anu III with colored lamps, la South KenstngtOn.
dne eventfn, evening came at last Mrs Des-
ioSN-
cOiored velvet and diamonds, and Mrs. SOmerS, as
Name Antonette In pale blue satin and pearls
arrived almost simultaneously at Lady Mabel'S.
Little Fitz, to whom both ladies HAD. of course,
connGed the secret OF her incOgntO, had got him
sell up very magnincently as Louis XIV, and this
Mrs. Desmond considered as almost tantamount to
q declaration.
The ball was most brilliant affair; the weather
was every thing 1t should be, warm, still and moon
less; the fliuIn1nat1OnS were gorgeous the music
good, the dresses admirable and the wine super
latve. Lady Mabers guests took their pleasure
with less OF insuar sadness and more OF continent
tai hvelinesS than Usual. Whether it was the
novelty and daring OF the thing, or the tact
OF the hostess, the unlimited opportunities
LOT irritation, or the spice OF intrigue and mystin
cation introduced into the affair by the wearing OF
masks, IL Is certain the bail was complete sue
cess from beginning To end. Minna Desmond how
ever, was far from happy, for throughout the
evening little Fitz devoted himself almost exclu-
sively TO her rival. The blue dress OF Marie
Antionette was always TO be seen in juxtapoSitiOn
with the brilliant costume of Louis XIV
81 suppose he thinks as Clementina is masked,
people won't talk, thought the disconnected wild
Ow as she watched the pair.
Carnforth, who had somehow discovered that
Madame de Pom padour no other than his tickle
Minna, came up TO her and began 10 talk AT first
his attempts IL conversation were coldly received,
but Jack Was not easily Snubbed, and at length
Sine seemed TO relent and gradually glided into a
| friendly chat.
CarnfOrth was delighted; he begged for waltz,
and Minna did not refuse the request. When the
dance was ended, he led his partner into one OF
the pleasant hooks In the garden, hoping that the
widows mood would not change before he could
nnd courage 10 propose. But the ladyS thoughts
were still running on Louis; she was determined
not to throw up the cards yet. The first thing to
be done was to get rid OF CarnrOrth, so he was
dispatched to fetch an Ice. much to his disgust.
just she was about TO leave the arbOr in search
OF the recalcitrant Fitz, she was startled by a
rustic In the bushes near. and voice-Clemen-
tlnaS mountaineering her name. AT the same
time, the bushes parted, showing the blue dress or
the queen
"Clementina!" cried the astonished lady; "you
here?"
.sHush dear I have haen trvtnO TN snaaL tn Won
all the evening""
'Indeed?' retorted the other coldly: 81 thought
you were better occupied"
'Oh, Minna, don't be unkind! l thought could
depend on your friendship"
"My friendship. Much you care for that, infat-
uated as you are by that little" she paused, un-
aole 10 IND word strong enough to express her
feelings.
"Minna, dearest, you are surely not Jealous of
Jealous! No, indeed. 1 don't admire your
pocket AdoniS. your duodecimO Louis XIV" said
Minna with whitening ScOrn
''Then we won't quarrel over him, but unite our
forces against the common foe retorted the other
with spirit.
"The common foe? What do you meant"
Just what L say. Minna, there is treachery
somewhere; Some one Is playing me, playing us,
a cruel trick tonight"
.'Do speak out plainly, dear said the other with
Riddles"
thing more puZZllng than any riddle" And Glenn
entfna drew her friends hand through her arm
and LED her rapidly toward the most secluded part
OF the garden. II saw them go In this direction"
she went on excitcdy. LOOK, Minna don't you
SEE a blue dress over there?"
Eyes; but there are ever so many blue dresses
here tonight,
mot like That one, whispered Clementina in her
ear; ''it is fac-simile of mine"
Then lei, II Is not you Mr.; Brandon has been dane
Ing with all The EVENING"? replied the other breath
lessly, llgnt suddenly breaking lii on her.
NO. He has been dancing with my double"
my poor Ciencntlna; but you are
''Determlned TO ind out who has played me this
shameful trick" she interrupted, fiercely. "NOw
they are going TO sit on that seat"
Drawing the a5tonished Minna after her Mrs.
Somers slipped behind large bush of ser1nga,
Which efectua screened them from view Lit
Tie tltz and his far companion sauntered slowly
down the pain, and, as Clementina had predicted
seated themselves on a garden bench close by.
There was an air OF tender empressment about
the former which at once struck the eager
watchers.
'.And you will give me that rose. dear Mrs
Somers," he was saying earnestly, as he bent
over the small 1eweled hand OF the unknown.
Clementina nearly cried aloud. on! this Is
To her double before her very eyes. The fair
incognta laughed musically as sshe detached the
coveted HOVER from her dress and gave it to the
delighted Fritz.
.'Oh. yes. Nj. Brandon why should refuse YOU
such trifie? l only ask one thing in return
Mrs. S0merS heart stood still. Was she dream
spoke in her voice.
Il can refuse you nothing" protested Fitz, ar
IDENTIFY.
Then tell me why you let that silly Mrs. Des-
mond monopoze you she does? Come contlde
| in me; YOU in love with her?1
| I'm love with her." he reJoined, hastily ION,
no; surely, dearest ClemenJlna, you should know
! better than that"
Mrs Desmond clenched her hands. ooh! the
| little hypocrfte," she brea;hed.
'.rhen you there the unknown paused and
played coqueLtishly with her FAM "have some feel
ing of-of friendship for-Ine?" she finished softly
Il have the deepest, the most sincere affection
| for you. Until tonight i failed to realize how
much II
"And am sure shall always have a sisters
affection for you interrupted the lady sentiment
| tally.
"a sisters affection! My dearest Clementina
| that will not satisfy NE. / want the very first
| place In your heart. / want
The listeners behind the seringa bush gaSped
| How would this dreadful affair end? Here was
FltZ the beloved or both, prODOSing-actullly pro-
pOSng-to an eldolon, shadow. an unknown
somebody wearing the shape OF one OF them
| speaking In her tome, aping her manner to u
nicely.
"Dear Cementina," Fitz went on eagerly. 81 love
| you most sincerely, admire you above all other
women"
'Are YOU quite-quite sure OF that?" whispered
the unknown. as there no one you have secret
| liking fore"
| Fitz hestatei for a moment. His conscience
was evidently not quite clear. The lady however
tapped him on the arm with her fan.
Their. won put too many questions. II you
zen me mat Tonight at least 1 reign supreme,
| ask nothing mora.-
Fitz took her hand and pressed 1t fervently to his
| lips.
dearest Clementina," he whispered tenderly:
"and now be-, you Will let me see the face have
| been longing TO lock at all the pyeninp-